Can Jinn Enter the Human World?

Question

This Q&A addresses the nature of jinn and their interaction with humans, including whether they can enter the human realm, communicate with humans, and the permissibility of summoning them. [AR_ID:625]

Answer 1

Peace be upon you and God's mercy and blessings.

Before answering your questions, we would like to provide a brief overview of jinn.

According to the scholar Al-Tabatabai (may God have mercy on him): Jinn are a type of creation hidden from our senses. The Holy Quran affirms their existence, stating that they were created before humans and made from fire, just as humans were created from clay. God says: "And the jinn We created before from scorching fire" (Al-Hijr 27).

They live, die, and are resurrected like humans. God says: "Those are the ones upon whom the word has come into effect among nations which have passed on before them of jinn and men" (Al-Ahqaf 18).

They have males and females and reproduce through procreation. God says: "And there were men from mankind who sought refuge in men from the jinn" (Al-Jinn 6).

They possess feelings and will, and they can perform rapid movements and strenuous tasks, as seen in the stories of Solomon (peace be upon him) and the subjugation of jinn to him, as well as the story of the Queen of Sheba.

They are accountable like humans, with some being believers and others disbelievers, some righteous and others wicked. God says: "And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me" (Adh-Dhariyat 54) and "Indeed, we have heard a wondrous Qur'an, guiding to righteousness, so we have believed in it" (Al-Jinn 2), and "And we are among the Muslims and among the unjust" (Al-Jinn 14), and "And we are among the righteous and among others" (Al-Jinn 11), along with other characteristics of their conditions mentioned in the Quran.

1) God has created a world for every creation, each with its own characteristics. Yes, there are special circumstances that allow for some form of communication or connection between jinn and humans, such as when certain individuals use jinn to carry out tasks that fall under what is known as magic, or when a person experiences psychological or mental disturbances, or encounters situations of fear that open a window for jinn to enter the human realm, which is referred to as possession or affliction.

Believers should not believe everything said about these matters, especially if it comes from those who exploit these issues for profit, as their words are often closer to fraud. In fact, increasing one's acts of worship, listening to the recitation of the Quran, avoiding sins, and strengthening one's will through knowledge of divine attributes and frequent visits to the shrines of the infallibles (peace be upon them) can help protect and heal from these afflictions.

There are several Quranic verses indicating that God has allowed devils to afflict the disobedient and sinful as a form of punishment: "Shall I inform you upon whom the devils descend? They descend upon every lying sinner" (Ash-Shu'ara 221) and "Have you not seen that We have sent the devils upon the disbelievers, inciting them with great incitement?" (Al-Muddathir 25), among other verses.

This does not reach the level of losing one's choice and will; rather, the trial of the enemy serves a purpose: to encourage the individual to abandon their sins and return to God.

2) Jinn are beings separated from us by a veil, and their bodies are subtle and delicate, not dense like human bodies. Therefore, we cannot see them with our eyes or speak to them under normal circumstances. However, they can be seen and spoken to in certain situations, such as:

1- In sleep: The soul is subtle, allowing it to see another subtle being.

2- In wakefulness: Jinn can become dense and appear in their true form or take on the appearance of humans, animals, or insects, such as snakes and dogs.

3) Regarding the ruling on summoning jinn:

Sayyid Sistani: It is prohibited if it harms someone who is not to be harmed.

Source: Fiqh for Expatriates - Astrology, Hypnosis, and Summoning Jinn.

Sayyid Khamenei: Assuming the summoning of jinn is valid, the ruling varies based on the circumstances, means, and consequences. Generally, any action that promotes falsehood or leads to deviation or harm to others is not permissible.

Source: Special Inquiry.

May you be successful in all good.